Teenager's Honesty Reaps Torrent Of Praise

January 16, 2005|By C. Ron Allen Staff Writer

What was simply the right thing to do turned into countywide recognition for teenager Logan Ritter. He couldn't believe that finding a wallet at school and turning it in was a big deal until his guidance counselor, Mercedes A. Egus, told him there was $75 inside the black leather wallet.

"It wouldn't have made a difference," said Ritter, 14, a boy of few words. "It wasn't mine, so the right thing to do was to turn it in -- money or not."

The Fort Lauderdale High freshman was on his way to the school cafeteria when he discovered the wallet on the ground. It didn't take more than a moment for Ritter to decide what to do.

He fished through it for identification, and found nothing -- not even a piece of paper. So he thought. Then he took the wallet to an administrator.

About two hours later, the owner of the wallet reported it lost and retrieved it. News of Ritter's honesty and responsible behavior began spreading around campus like wildfire. About a week later, it triggered other random acts of kindness by fellow students, his guidance counselor said. Two students found wallets -- one with cash -- and turned them in to school officials. Another student stopped a group of bullies from mugging a younger student and stealing his bike, school officials said.

Since then, Ritter has been named a Student of the Month. He was featured in the school's newsletter and on the closed-circuit television. He also was recognized as a South Florida Sun-Sentinel Kid of Character, a student who best exemplifies the Broward County School District's character education traits.

Francie Ceravolo, a behavioral specialist, was on cafeteria duty that September morning when Ritter brought the wallet to her.

She said she was initially surprised after receiving the wallet, and turned it over to an assistant principal to locate the owner.

"I didn't expect anyone to turn in a wallet to me," Ceravolo said.

Ritter's sense of integrity has made a deep impression on his guidance counselor.

Egus said Ritter is very shy and laid back, so it's no wonder the youngster was surprised by the publicity that has enveloped him. His deed was a way of life for him, the guidance counselor said.

The soft-spoken teenager said found money was lost money and had to be returned because no good would come of it if he kept it.

"If I had kept it. I couldn't live with myself knowing that it's not mine," he said.

Annette Ritter was not surprised by her son's action.

"That's what we always teach him to do -- be as honest as he can," she said.

This is another in a series on students who best exemplify the Broward County School District's eight character education traits -- cooperation, responsibility, citizenship, kindness, respect, honesty, self-control and tolerance -- and patriotism as part of all eight.

C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7917.